Night After Night, June 23, 2011

Published 5:49 pm, Wednesday, June 22, 2011

THURSDAY

The Lee Boys, Adam Johnson & the Pay Me’s at Sam’s Burger Joint. If you’re in the mood for the proverbial joyful noise, the Lee Boys will deliver. The Florida-bred/Florida-based family band, three brothers and their three nephews, come out of the sacred steel tradition of the House of God church. In the ’30s, brothers Willie and Troman Eason brought steel guitars into the church and proceeded to put them to work on hymns and spirituals. With proponents such as the Campbell Brothers and Aubrey Ghent, and a younger generation that includes the Lee Boys, fourth-generation musicians, and Robert Randolph, sacred steel is a force whose impact has spread from the church to concert halls and festivals around the globe. Rest assured the spirit remains strong in the Lee Boys repertoire.

Cartographers, Tax the Wolf at Limelight. The Cartographers are the local wave-makers, but don’t ignore the visitors, Houston-based Tax the Wolf. The quartet — Alan Garza (lead guitar), Adrian Graniel (drums), Johnathan Presas (rhythm guitar, trumpet) and Mario A Rodriguez (bass, vocals) — makes complex and clever alt-rock/progressive rock of the sort that will complement the alt/art-rock of Cartographers. Tax the Wolf is on the road with its “Tax the Wolf” CD and excellent songs including “Merkexlla” and “Freddy & Stephen Hawking’s Great Space Exploration.”

Patricia Vonne, Michael Martin at Hotel Havana. These two homegrown singer-songwriters have collaborated in the past to lovely and mesmerizing effect, so they’re tailor-made for the popular Havana’s acoustic series. Austin-based Vonne is promoting her latest album of border rock, “Worth It.” Martin is a treat on guitar whether banging around with the gritty Infidels or solo.

Drew Kennedy at River Road Ice House in New Braunfels. Known for literate songs and compelling tales, Kennedy will bring his full band to the ice house. He will play acoustic at The Phoenix Saloon in New Braunfels on Tuesday, the final show in his weekly gig that lasted about a year.

Wendy Colonna at Luna. This acclaimed Austin-based singer-songwriter’s music is steeped in the sounds of her childhood in Louisiana. The sultry-voiced artist is promoting her latest album, “We Are One.” Colonna brings her band to the intimate venue.

Alex Meixner Band at Phoenix Saloon in New Braunfels. South Texans, rightfully, take great pride in virtuosic homegrown accordionists. But Meixner is a musician’s musician and is hailed from the rooftops by many of the greats. In these parts, the Grammy-nominated accordionist (“Polka Freak”) is well-known to Wurstfest visitors and to record producers who snag the classically trained musician for sessions when he’s in the area. Also on the bill is the Catie Offerman Band. Both performers are part of a two-night stand.

Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys at Sisterdale Dance Hall. The purveyor of traditional country music and Bob Wills-style western swing will keep the floor filled at the historic hall.

Saturday

Shawn Nelson, the Trishas, Rockin’ Acoustic Circus at The Pioneer Museum (325 W. Main St., Fredericksburg, 6 p.m.) The Roots Music series continues at the museum with an Americana program. Nelson opens with songs from various parts of the singer/songwriter/Americana spectrum. The Trishas, four women whose voices blend beautifully, defy boundaries while they do songs influenced by everything from gospel to country, from bluegrass to the blues. Tulsa-based Rockin’ Acoustic Circus closes out the evening with string-driven bluegrass fusion. Check out www ?.pioneermuseum.net for ticket discounts.

Emery, Oh Sleeper, Hawkboy, Victoria Melbourne, Seize the Prophet, This or the Apocalypse, Affiance, Last Chance to Reason, Across the Sun, Deception of a Ghost at White Rabbit. It’s a two-stage/two-show night with the This or the Apocalypse part of the bill apparently moved from Korova. From Seattle by way of South Carolina, Emery makes waves with positive lyrics and music that mixes everything from alt-rock to hard-edged rock. Emery is touring with the CD “We Do What We Want.” Headlining the other Rabbit stage is This or the Apocalypse. The Pennsylvania-bred band plays metal, and does so with serious chops and songs from the latest album, “Haunt What’s Left.”

Scott Wiggins Band, Rosehill at John T. Floore Country Store. With influences from Pat Green and Gary Allen to Elvis, Wiggins packs a lot of rock in his country, such as his current single, “Home.”

Billy Mata & The Texas Tradition at Quihi Gun Club and Dance Hall. Western swing and old-school country have been Mata’s trademark for nearly three decades, and his latest CD pays homage to Tommy Duncan, known as the voice of Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys.

SUNDAY

Texas Music Coalition Meet & Greet at Rolling Oaks Golf Club Bar & Grill (4 p.m., free). The inclusive music trade organization welcomes bands, solo musicians, singers, songwriters, recording studio owners and operators, and those involved with music retail, music law and any other aspect of music. Those who make music are invited to bring their CDs to be spun by Oscar Laun and do a little, or a lot, of networking. Recipients of two Jack Skiles Music Studies Scholarships and the Fred Weiss Grant for Professional Development will be announced and introduced during the meet and greet.

MONDAY

Sean Castillo & The Hubcaps at Sam’s Burger Joint. Castillo, who plays a fired-up blast of rockabilly, is next up in the weekly swing night.

TUESDAY

Two Tons of Steel at Gruene Hall. San Antonio’s “countrybilly” band is in full swing for its 16th annual summer phenomenon known as Two Ton Tuesday, which packs the house with dancers and fans from around the country.

WEDNESDAY

Justin Moore at John T. Floore Country Store. It’s an up-close-and-personal show with the Nashville country artist, who released his sophomore album this week, “Outlaws Like Me.” The hitch is that you have to listen to Y100 to score tickets.